The Valley Bike Share program is getting closer to restarting, although an exact date has not been set.
The system was shuttered last year when the operator went bankrupt. Earlier this month, the selection of a new vendor, Drop Mobility, was announced with the hopes of Valley Bike Share being up and running again by the end of the month.
Carolyn Misch is Northampton’s planning and sustainability director. The city administers the program. She said it’s been a large undertaking to go through all 700-plus bikes which have been in storage for over a year.
“They’ve organized all the parts that were just thrown together in boxes when the previous vendor left abruptly or stopped operations abruptly, everything was really disorganized, so they’ve waded through all of that,” she said.
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Misch said one unexpected discovery was several of the bikes were broken beyond repair, some with cracked frames. And Drop Mobility also needs to install its software on the bikes and at the docking stations to facilitate rentals.
She added she’s been hearing from many area residents who are excited about Valley Bike Share returning and wanting to know when. Misch said though, it takes time to ensure a smooth rollout.
“We want to make sure we’re taking the time now so that there aren’t any glitches when all the bikes rollout at once,” Misch said. “It might take a little bit longer than everyone wishes or hopes, but that’s only so that we’re successful on day one.”
Valley Bike Share is available in eight communities in western Massachusetts, including Northampton, Easthampton, Holyoke, Amherst and Springfield as well as UMass Amherst. It provides electric assist bicycles for rent.
METHUEN — Massachusetts police say gunfire erupted and multiple people were shot early Sunday morning during a pop-up party organized on social media.
Seven people were shot and wounded during the overnight violence. An eighth person was hurt while running away when shots rang out at a large gathering of young people in Methuen, authorities said Sunday.
DA calls it “tragic case of gun violence”
The gunfire began just before 2 a.m. after hundreds of people gathered for a pop-up party billed as a car meetup organized on social media, officials said at a news conference. The party happened in an industrial park along Lindburg Avenue, a secluded area of Methuen. Tire tracks from drivers doing donuts could still be seen on the ground Sunday evening.
The victims range in age from 17 to 22 years old. Two of the victims are in critical condition.
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“That’s very family-friendly area, it’s a nice area to live,” said Methuen resident Joseph Autiio. “I’m honestly shocked it happened over there. I think social media affects everybody. Everybody’s connected and can see things going on on social media, especially young kids, and it definitely affects the way they think and it’s getting worse and worse, obviously. It’s sad, especially that people got shot.”
“This is another tragic case of gun violence that brings us together this morning,” Essex County District Attorney Paul Tucker said. “It’s pretty amazing that with the amount of ballistics evidence that we’re recovering that more people weren’t hurt.”
Pop-up party was organized on social media
Authorities declined to comment on the number of suspects. No arrests have been made, and no weapons have been recovered.
Metheun Police Chief Scott McNamara said authorities have been monitoring other “hot spots” where such gatherings typically take place, but Sunday’s attack happened in a new location and was the first to turn violent.
“Usually these meet-ups consist of very loud music, disorderly conduct, sometimes drinking,” he said. “We try to take action where we can to discourage it, and we’ve been fairly successful in that regard. Unfortunately we did experience a tragic incident here in Metheun last night.”
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No suspects have been identified. Tucker said they’re pursuing all potential leads in the case.
Serious dirtbike crash reported at Massachusetts track and more top stories
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Serious dirtbike crash reported at Massachusetts track and more top stories
03:36
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WAREHAM – A 14-year-old boy died Saturday after crashing at a Massachusetts dirt bike track.
It happened around 12:30 p.m. at Diamond MC on Atwood Farm Way in Wareham.
Teenager killed at Diamond MX track
The Plymouth District Attorney’s office said the boy was rushed to Tobey Hospital in Wareham but later died.
Massachusetts State Police are investigating the death.
“The Diamond MX family extends our deepest condolences to the riders family and all involved,” the facility said in a statement.
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The DA did not release the name of the teenager who was killed.
Previous death at Wareham
In 2021, a 13-year-old girl died during a crash at the same track.
Ava Pioppi of Carver lost control after landing a jump, swerved into oncoming traffic and collided with a man on another bike.
The track was known as Wareham MX Park at the time, though the owner later closed the facility.
Track owner responds to death of rider
The track’s current owner said the facility can “confidently say all safety measures were taken and in place.”
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“The Motorcross community partakes in riding for the fun, freedom and escape it provides for us. With that being said we also know the risk that is involved,” the track owner posted on social media. “As an owner operator this is the first tragic accident that has happened on our watch. I can’t explain how much this has shaken me. I wanted to get involved for all the positive things the sport brought to the riders and to the community. I also did this for a place for my family to enjoy also. This is a part of business nobody enjoys or plans for.”
The owner said the track is closed on Sunday “out of respect for the family and track employees.”
Matt Schooley
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Matt Schooley is a digital producer at CBS Boston. He has been a member of the WBZ news team for the last decade.
21 hours ago Announcements, Causes, Events, Latest, Press Release
“This past Sunday, June 9, was the 8th Annual Manheim New England Touch-a-Truck event.
Proceeds from raffles held at the event went towards Jaxon’s Journey with a Rare Brain Tumor and Butterflies Raising Hope Fundraisers.
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Jaxon is a 6-year-old who has been battling Hypothalamic Hamartoma since he was 9 months old. Children braved the rainy conditions to look at and play on vehicles of all types. The event hosted construction trucks, military equpiment, police, fire and EMS vehicles.”-Massachusetts State Police.
All photos by the Massachusetts State Police:
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